Top medics urge residents to be frank and give their views on future of city’s mental health services

Tuesday 27th August 2013

]1 Dr Martin WhitingTop medics urge residents to be frank and give their views on future of city’s mental health services MANCHESTER’S three clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are urging residents, service users and carers to give their views on mental health services – and to be part of shaping future provision.

Views can be given online or via a freepost service until October 17 and will be used as vital feedback before final decisions are made about how mental health services will be commissioned in the city.

Dr Martin Whiting, GP and chief clinical officer at North Manchester CCG, said: “We want Manchester’s mental health services to be clear, effective and compassionate so they provide a safe haven in times of crisis – and then give people the tools and support that enable them to manage any long-term issues, or prevent problems recurring. “We spend around £100 million a year on the city’s mental health services. To get the best results it’s essential that we represent what this city and its residents need. That’s why it’s vital that people give their views and that we listen to them.” In July, Manchester’s three CCGS (central, north and south) outlined a framework for their mental health commissioning plans for the next two years, in collaboration with Manchester City Council.

These plans will guide what type of services the CCGs want to commission and how; which areas of the mental health service need to improve; and how services can be combined to give the best value for money.

The framework also addresses areas of priority – reducing waiting times (especially for working-age adults experiencing severe mental health crises); making sure that the services represent local needs and age groups; and working in a co-ordinated way with other health and social care services.

But, before any of these plans are finalised, clinical teams want to consider all feedback from people who have experience of the service or want to have input in its development.

To date, comments already received range from topics like continuity of care; accessing services; 24-hour support; and more people to listen.

The Mental Health Commissioning Intentions (2013-15) document can be read under the news section on www.manchester.nhs.uk. Anyone wishing to give their views before October 17 can do so in confidence at www.surveymonkey.com/s/MHCI or alternatively, the freepost address for comments is: RSHZ-ZHLY-AUET, NHS Manchester, Parkway 3, Parkway Business Centre, Princess Road, Manchester M14 7LU.

Our Aims: About Us

To support users and ex-users of psychiatric services in the Manchester area. The organisation provides a forum for services users to have a bona fide say in planning and provision of mental health services.

Protesters in King’s Lynn fight against mental health service cuts

Protesters took to the streets of King’s Lynn to voice their anger at what they described as “continuous” cutbacks to mental health services in west Norfolk.

Mental health cuts protest

A protest march against cuts to mental health services and the Fermoy Unit at the QEH took place in King's Lynn town centre. Picture: Matthew Usher.

More than 100 campaigners marched from The Walks through the town centre before finishing outside the Majestic Cinema.

Peter Smith, former parliamentary candidate for south-west Norfolk said: “We are in the fight of our lives here.”

The protest was triggered by the Fermoy Unit, an in-patient NHS facility in Lynn for mental health, which campaigners say faces an uncertain future. The unit was briefly closed to new admissions earlier this month, but reopened last week, albeit with fewer beds.

Mr Smith said: “In my lifetime we have never had to fight like this, but what is the alternative?”

But Debbie White, director of operations for Norfolk at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said there were now no plans to axe the Fermoy Unit.

She added: “It is right that mental health services should be valued and funded on the same level as acute health services, and it is understandable people feel passionate about the Fermoy Unit remaining open.”

Labour party activist Jo Rust insisted the issue would not disappear. She said: “They have been talking about closing it for a long time. We will fight and we will not let them do that.”

Beth Anthony, 18 of Dersingham, said: “We are here to protest against the continuous cuts to the mental health service, we think it’s unacceptable. My younger brother suffers from poor mental health and has to travel to London... That is to the detriment of my family because we have to pay for him to go down by train every single month.”